Relentless (Fallon Sisters Trilogy: Book #1)

• Novels written by P. J. O'Dwyer
  
• Early Praise for RELENTLESS...
  
• In Loving Memory
  
• Dedication
  
• Acknowledgments
  
• Foreword
  
• Chapter One
  
• Chapter Two
  
• Chapter Three
  
• Chapter Four
  
• Chapter Five
  
• Chapter Six
  
• Chapter Seven
  
• Chapter Eight
  
• Chapter Nine
  
• Chapter Ten
  
• Chapter Eleven
  
• Chapter Twelve
  
• Chapter Thirteen
  
• Chapter Fourteen
  
• Chapter Fifteen
  
• Chapter Sixteen
  
• Chapter Seventeen
  
• Chapter Eighteen
  
• Chapter Nineteen
  
• Chapter Twenty
  
• Chapter Twenty-One
  
• Chapter Twenty-Two
  
• Chapter Twenty-Three
  
• Chapter Twenty-Four
  
• Chapter Twenty-Five
  
• Chapter Twenty-Six
  
• Chapter Twenty-Seven
  
• Chapter Twenty-Eight
  
• Chapter Twenty-Nine
  
• Chapter Thirty
  
• Chapter Thirty-One
  
• Chapter Thirty-Two
  
• Chapter Thirty-Three
  
• Chapter Thirty-Four
  
• Chapter Thirty-Five
  
• Chapter Thirty-Six
  
• Chapter Thirty-Seven
  
• Chapter Thirty-Eight
  
• Chapter Thirty-Nine
  
• Chapter Forty
  
• Chapter Forty-One
  
• Chapter Forty-Two
  
• Epilogue
  
• An excerpt from P. J. O'Dwyer's next novel DEFIANT
  
• A Message from the Author
  
• Horse Rescues And Advocate Directory
  
• Saving America's Horses
  
• About the Author
  

Copyright © 2012 by P.J. O'Dwyer

Black Siren Books

331 West 57th Street

Suite 510

New York, NY 10019

www.blacksirenbooks.com

[email protected]

All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the publisher.

Relentless
is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author�s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

This book contains an excerpt from the forthcoming book
Defiant
, the second book in the Fallon Sisters Trilogy by P. J. O'Dwyer. This excerpt has been set for this edition only and may not reflect the final content of the forthcoming edition.

ISBN: 978-09848997-1-5

Relentless

Defiant

Forsaken

"RELENTLESS will take readers on a rollercoaster ride and keep you guessing on several fronts. Highly recommended and a fantastic read!"

—
Monica Solomon
The Romance Readers Connection, 4½ Stars

"This is a fast-moving story of right against might, with engaging characters that quickly pull the reader into an exciting rollercoaster ride of twists and turns guaranteed to leave you breathless and guessing right up to the very end."

—
Cheryl Caldwell, Co-Publisher
Honest Horses Magazine

"Lovers of horses, mystery, and romance rolled into one intriguing package will want to place RELENTLESS at the top of their must-read list for 2012! O'Dwyer's vivid writing hooks the reader in for the ride, but beyond that illuminates the urgent issues surrounding wild horses, slaughter, and horse rescue. This book is a many-sided gem you won't want to miss!"

—
Carol Upton, Co-Founder
Sunshine Coast School of Writing

"RELENTLESS is a truly well-crafted, well-written story. I look forward to seeing it in print one day in the near future. P. J. O'Dwyer is a gifted author."

—
Joanna Waggoner
Washington Romance Writers 2011 Marlene Awards

"RELENTLESS vibrates with emotion and conflict and intensity. I couldn't get enough! P. J. O'Dwyer's got talent, in spades."

—
Frieda Knizek
Washington Romance Writers 2011 Marlene Awards

"O'Dwyer is a master at putting emotion to paper and making it convincing. RELENTLESS is high intensity at its best. It gives the heart a workout in every possible way—suspense that has it pounding nonstop, romance that has it thumping, and frustration, anger, and deep sorrow that holds it clenched in a vise. I could not put it down!"

—
Cindy Taylor
All Book Reviews

"RELENTLESS is an enthralling read, with twists and turns that keep you in suspense. O'Dwyer has crafted a wonderful story that takes you from the countryside of Maryland to the drug wars of Mexico, all because of the love of the horse. Her research for her subject matter is exceptional in this wonderful tale."

—
Alex Brown
Author of
Greatness and Goodness: Barbaro and His Legacy

"P. J. O'Dwyer's RELENTLESS is a perfect mix of romance and mystery. It was fast paced enough that I didn't want to put it down! Her knowledge of horses, horse rescues, and the horse slaughterhouse controversy was impressive and eye opening. The images she imparts of the slaughterhouse in Mexico will stay with me a very long time. It was a wonderful read, I will recommend it highly!"

—
Monika Orendorf, President and Founder
Dusty Trails Horse Rescue
State of Alabama

"An absorbing tale of murder, romance, and horses... O'Dwyer creatively expresses the redemptive powers of love and one woman's devotion to saving ill-fated horses. This gripping novel unfolds in surprising ways, and its twists and turns will have readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. This entertaining story provides satisfaction for mystery devotees, romance readers, and horse lovers all in one well-written book."

—
Mimi Peabody, Secretary
Alaska Equine Rescue
State of Alaska

"RELENTLESS is an absolutely spellbinding novel that is a must-read for all who know and love horses, and who enjoy a captivating mystery. This novel gives an inside look at the struggles of Bren Ryan, who has lived her life with equines and has an intimate knowledge of sale barns and auctions. Adding business rivalry, murder, and a stranger in town, and you have an enticing read with a true education about the inhumanity of slaughter and the heartlessness of those who make money from sending horses to a horrendous demise."

—
Susan N. Thompson, Founder and CEO
Dreamchaser Horse Rescue and Rehabilitation, Inc.
State of Arizona

"Finally, a novel that accurately depicts the rescue world and their struggles to protect the horse from ignorance and greed—RELENTLESS kept me reading into the night."

—
Joey Ogburn, Director
Reigning Grace Ranch
State of Arizona

"P. J. O'Dwyer brings to life that perfect combination of horses and romance while eloquently addressing important issues facing the equestrian community. Anyone who loves horses will be able to relate to the protagonist, Bren, who dedicates her life, and her heart, to rescue work. Add in the intrigue of a mysterious murder and this book will keep you turning the pages."

—
Melanie Sue Bowles, Founder of Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary,
and author of three nonfiction books, including:
Hoof Prints: Stories from Proud Spirit
State of Arkansas

"Captivating! Mysterious and visceral, RELENTLESS is a colorful literary fiction that chronicles the vivid life challenges of a dedicated mother and horse rescuer in a world that measures the value of life by the weight on the end of a meat hook."

—
Katia Louise, President and Founder
Wild for Life Foundation, Lifetime Equine Refuge
State of California
Director, Producer of SAVING AMERICA'S HORSES—A NATION BETRAYED

"Thanks to Ms. O'Dwyer for having a horse rescue advocate as her heroine in RELENTLESS. In 2007 the Unwanted Horse Coalition estimated that there were approximately 170,000 unwanted horses in the United States. Building awareness of this issue is so important for those of us working for the horses. Thanks so much for making it an enjoyable read as well!"

—
Judy B. Smetana, Ph.D., Executive Director
Colorado Horse Rescue
State of Colorado

"RELENTLESS is a fast-paced murder mystery, romance, with realistic, and sometimes brutal, horse rescue thrown in. The who-done-it will keep you guessing 'til the end."

—
Patty Wahlers, President
H.O.R.S.E. of CT, Inc.
State of Connecticut

"RELENTLESS—a true page-turner that you didn't want to end."

—
Robin Weinkam, Treasurer
Changing Fates Equine Rescue of Delaware, Inc.
State of Delaware

"I've read so many horse books and novels. But once I received a copy of RELENTLESS, I was taken by the breathtaking action of romance and mystery. What a good depiction of the inhumanity of horse slaughter. This great horse novel has a little bit of everything, and is a must read! Thank you for sharing this with me."

—
Betina Parker, President and Founder
Equine 808 Horse Rescue
State of Hawaii

"Your success with RELENTLESS is imminent. It was a wonderful tale about the struggles one encounters when defending right and decency against what always seems to be the powerful forces of the antithesis of all that is good. I was enthralled, and I look forward to future novels that will no doubt evolve from your creative mind. Thank you for the opportunity to preview this moving novel."

—
Tony Mangan, President
Panhandle Equine Rescue, Inc.
State of Idaho

"RELENTLESS is a page burner of a murder mystery with an unlikely heroine, staged in a quiet little piece of animal welfare that is very near and dear to my heart. Bren is a strong-willed, feisty redhead whose #1 life passion is saving, rescuing, and rehoming horses in need, until the day her husband is murdered.

"Even with her heart, her mind, and her time largely consumed with finding Toms murderer, Bren continues with their life's work of Grace Equine Sanctuary... and that mixture of unending dedication leads to a 'never saw that coming' finish you won't want to miss.

While clearly a fictional tale, O'Dwyer's depiction of certain elements of the underbelly of the equine world is accurate and eye opening to those horse lovers who may have little or no idea of the dark realities."

—
AnnMarie Cross, Founder
Crosswinds Equine Rescue, Inc.
State of Illinois

"Absolutely riveting P. J. O'Dwyer has written a suspenseful masterpiece that draws you into the plot, making you feel as if you are there, feeling the love, hate, and pain along with the characters. A very satisfying indulgence indeed!"

—
Stephanie M. Bowser
Friends of Ferdinand, Inc.—Indiana
State of Indiana

"Bren has the heart of momma bear. Nothing will keep her from protecting the rescued horses and the people she loves. Hang on... it's a wild ride."

—
Karen Everhart, Founder
Rainbow Meadows Equine Rescue and Retirement, Inc.
State of Kansas

"RELENTLESS is a wonderful depiction of the emotional, high-energy life of a woman named Bren and her commitment to saving horses. O'Dwyer shows the human side and communicates the very fast-paced, hectic nature of what we do, which is horse rescue."

—
Sunny Francois, Executive Director
Louisiana Horse Rescue Association
State of Louisiana

"A well-written story with all the elements to keep you deeply involved—murder, mystery, romance, and an all-too-real glance into the greed and horror of the horse [slaughter] world."

—
Mona Jerome, President and Founder
Ever After Mustang Rescue
State of Maine